Advanced Business Planning with Julia ShanksFebruary 25, 2018Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
30 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine
$100 per person; $135 for two people coming from the same farm.

This full-day workshop is designed to help established and beginning farmers understand the financials of their business and learn how to make informed decisions to increase profits. It is best suited for those with at least one year of farming or similar experience. The goals of the workshop are to plan for profit, examine YOUR farm enterprises, better understand financial statements and learn about recordkeeping.

Preserving Maine farms: Program links those wanting to get into farming with those looking to get outKennebec Journal - 11/29/2009.By Craig Crosby – Eric and Libby Healy's dream of owning a farm came true five years ago when they turned the corner of the old farmhouse in Thorndike and saw the rolling 40 acres of field surrounded by woods. "I still remember the look on my husband's face of just, we're home," Libby Healy said. "We found it." The Healy's were one of the first people to find a farm through Maine Farmland Trust's Farmlink program, which has connected 50 would-be farmers with existing farmers looking to get out of the business.

Farmers Market still selling food in SkowheganKennebec Journal - 11/29/2009.Letter to the editor by Lisa Veilleux – I wanted to write a public letter of thanks to the wonderful Skowhegan Farmers Market this summer. It was very exciting to have so many new farmers, artisan bakers and cheesemakers joining our local food venue. It is outstanding that for over 10 years, our farmers have shown their dedication to providing us with locally grown foods.

Wool for warmth – and the planetMaine Sunday Telegram - 11/29/2009.By Beth Quimby – Kennebunk: It was sheep breeding time at Ramblers Way Farm off Route 35, and Isaac the ram appeared to be in his element. Surrounded by a dozen ewes, the curly-horned beast gobbled up the grain hand-fed to him by Dave Norman, the farm's manager. Isaac is one of the farm's flock of 60 Rambouillet sheep, carefully coddled to produce organic wool that will eventually become Ramblers Way woolen underwear.

Feeding a growing interest among studentsMaine Sunday Telegram - 11/29/2009.By Tom Atwell – A group of grade 3-5 students is creating a natural habitat – and a pretty nice garden – at Skillin School in South Portland. Anne Cyr, a first-grade teacher at the school, has been working on the creation of the Skillin School Learning Garden Project since 2005 and has been directing a garden club of students in grades 3-5 since 2007. The garden so far includes a walking path, a bird and butterfly garden, an herb garden and a perennial garden. On the agenda for next year is a wetlands garden.

Augusta Civic Center. MOFGA offers free presentations and discussions, open to the public, on sustainable agriculture. Schedule here. No pre-registration required. MOFGA also has an information exhibit all three days of the show. Staff and committee members are available to answer questions about our ongoing programs. MOFGA members are encouraged to attend the association's annual meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 9.

4 sessions, Jan. 16 to Feb 6. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Smith's Smokehouse, Monroe, Maine. Join Andy Smith of Smith's Smokehouse and delve into the basics of charcuterie through a series of four workshops. Learn how to create your own charcuterie goods, and potential business, and then dig deep into a variety of curing processes including bacon, bresaola, beef jerky and more! Don't forget to register for this course, we only have 10 spots available. The complete series is $350 for MOFGA members and $400 for non-members. Each session will take place at Smith's Smokehouse; bring your own lunch. If you have any questions, email Anna Mueller at events@mofga.org. Details and registration.

(Snow date: Feb. 12) Belfast, Maine. Maine Farm to Institution (MEFTI) and the Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN) and their many partners are pleased to announce the first Maine Farm to Institution Summit. Registration and information: https://www.mainefarmtoinstitution.org/about-the-summit/

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by Coastal Enterprises Inc., 30 Federal St., Brunswick, Maine. Full-day workshop designed to help established and beginning farmers understand the financials of their business and learn how to make informed decisions to increase profits. Instructor Julia Shanks is the author of "The Farmer's Office: Tools, Tips and Templates to Successfully Manage a Growing Farm Business." $100 per person; $135 for two people coming from the same farm. Scholarships available. Information and registration.